It was a night unlike any other, an evening set against the shimmering New York skyline — the Miss Auburn University pageant. Former Miss Alabama, and 4th Runner-Up to Miss America, Meg McGuffin hosted the pageant as nine lovely ladies competed for the crown.

The night opened with a shimmering jazz dance that introduced the contestants to the audience and the judges. The night continued with the contestants answering tough questions varying from the legalization of marijuana to the comments of President Trump in regards to the Charlottesville riots.

Ada Ruth Huntley dazzled the audience with her piano performance amidst the talent portion. The night in the city that never sleeps neared conclusion as the lovely ladies made their final walk before the judges decided who would wear the crown. As the judges deliberated, reigning Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Jessica Baeder, an Auburn native, performed her talent that earned her crown.

The judges returned with their verdict, before the top crown was awarded, the contestant voted award of Miss Congeniality was presented to Sarah Hill; other winners included: Lydia Pass, fourth runner-up; Kimberly Vanderwaal, third runner-up; Ada Ruth Huntley, second runner-up; and Kelly Hutchinson, first runner-up and winner of the Lifestyle & Fitness Swimsuit Award. Finally, the award everyone had been waiting for, the crowing of Miss Auburn University 2018, Brooklyn Holt passed the crown to… Karson Fair! Along with the title, Karson won a year of free tuition, the Mallory Hagan Talent Award, Street Family Achievement Award, and will go on to compete for Miss Alabama next summer.

Remember the last time you were complaining about something? Did you do anything about it? No? Why? The next time you see something that should be changed on Auburn’s campus, let SGA know!

Auburn Answers is designed to streamline your issues to be forwarded to the appropriate authorities. Our team reviews every message submitted and will respond with information and make sure that your issue is addressed. Auburn Answers is happy to take on any problem you have and accepts feedback of every kind; Joey Wirtes, SGA’s Assistant Vice President of Outreach Feedback, said, “Our team’s role within SGA is often behind the scenes, yet we all find gratification by being able to personally help students and see our hard work lead to positive effects seen all over Auburn.”

Information collected through Auburn Answers has led to changes in dining, student ticketing, and facilities across campus, just to name a few. This feedback is a unique way for SGA to be connected with the student body at all times.

Whether you have an idea for dining to improve or want to say how much you appreciate everything facilities does to keep our campus looking pristine, Auburn Answers is there for you. This week is Auburn Answers week and we will be out on the concourse gathering feedback and would love for you to come see us.

Sunglasses on, earbuds in, phone in hand — you are ready to take on the Haley Concourse. This staple package screams “Please don’t talk to me,” but those dedicated souls on the concourse just will not listen. Most people know to avoid the concourse at all cost, but some still choose to make the trek. There’s no time on the concourse more intimidating than election weeks.

Candidates and their supporters put everything they have into securing your vote. Sometimes, it’s excessive, but I implore you the next time you’re forced down the Haley Concourse, remember that those people are giving everything they have to try to get your vote. Every person, and their Instagram followers, knows what their candidate stands for and what makes them special, so stop to hear what they have to say. As an Auburn student we are all entitled to have our voice heard in elections like Miss Homecoming, so why wouldn’t you utilize that privilege?

If you can’t make it down the concourse for the free merchandise and a good time, you can find information about every Miss Homecoming candidate here. Don’t forget to make your voice heard in the Miss Homecoming elections this Friday, September 15, from 7 A.M. – 7 P.M. on the My Campus tab of AU Access at aub.ie/sgavote. Conquer your fears and face the concourse, social interaction with a stranger will not kill you, and do your part to make a mark on Auburn University by electing your Miss Homecoming.

The Auburn Ring is one of the most powerful testimonies of true Auburn spirit. Wearing the icon of the place that holds a special place in their heart is something that no true Auburn man or woman should miss out on. The ring not only carries with it your own memories embraced between the interlocking “AU,” but the power of this iconic institution in your journey through life. Auburn’s ring tradition is not limited by the precious metal circlet, it is accompanied by a story that starts at one of the university’s oldest buildings.

Langdon Hall has served a variety of purposes on Auburn’s campus since it was erected in 1883. Today, it is primarily used as an auditorium and office space, but outside lurks the root of one of Auburn’s most-fabled tales. Stepping on the seal in front of Langdon Hall is an Auburn student’s worst nightmare. Legend says that any student that steps on the seal will suffer a few consequences: not graduating in four years, leaving the Plains without the love of their life, and cursing their family with seven generations of Alabama fans. For any unfortunate person who accidentally steps on the seal, fear not, there are many ways to reverse the curse. Most popularly, the cursed individual could jump into the President’s fountain at midnight on leap day of a leap year. Not too hard, right? Wrong. A cursed person’s next opportunity to escape their fate will not come until 2020, and even then, jumping into the President’s fountain is technically trespassing.

Ring Night is a way for students to be a part of an Auburn legend and not have to worry about missing graduation or the love of a true Auburn man or woman. At the end of the Fall and Spring semesters, graduating seniors have the opportunity to have theirofficial Auburn rings “cursed” by being placed upon the seal at 6:56 PM, the year of Auburn’s founding on the twenty-four hour clock. The rings remain on the seal until the current year appears on the twenty-four hour clock. The time the rings spend on the sacred seal is to symbolize the continuous Auburn spirit that has prevailed since the institution’s founding one-hundred sixty-one years ago.

A few days later at the Ring Ceremony, the curse is lifted when the student dips their ring in water from the President’s fountain; removing the curse, but leaving the Auburn spirit to live on in the ring and the heart of its owner forevermore. The traditional ring, emblazoned with eagles facing towards the past and future, is adorned with an interlocking AU and four bands symbolizing the pillars of the Auburn family: students, administration, faculty, and alumni. Ring recipients conclude the traditional ceremony by placing the cleansed ring on their finger with the words “Auburn University” facing inward, and then after graduation, the new alumni flip the ring to show the world that they are proud to be a member of the Auburn family.

“Of course, wouldn’t it have been easier for us to just not curse the rings in the first place?” said Dr. Macy Finck in the spring 2017 Ring Ceremony, “Of course, but your rings received more than a curse on Thursday night. For many years, the seal in front of Langdon Hall has been collecting stories: the stories of those unlucky enough to step on it, of those who narrowly missed it, and perhaps even those who consciously and carefully gave it a wide, respectful berth… the events of this week have been about more than cursing and cleansing. It’s about tradition, history, and creating a deeper connection with your Auburn family — past, present, and even future, as the seal now knows your story as well.”

This mark of connection not only is not only binding to Auburn University, but something much greater – the Auburn family. After four (or five… maybe six) years, we all move on from our time on the Plains to new adventures in life. This summer I was walking down the streets of London, 4,305 miles from the Plains, when I saw one of the most beautiful symbols on a man’s shirt – the AU. Amidst a busy intersection in the West End, I screamed “War Eagle,” I think it was the loudest and proudest I have ever projected the fabled words. The man looked around and without hesitation, or ever seeing who it was, yelled “War Eagle.” That spirit never leaves a person, even on the other side of the world, and that is what is encapsulated inside an Auburn ring.

Auburn would not be the same without our plethora of traditions. From callouts on Cater Lawn to the eagle circling the stadium, every true Auburn man and woman has a tradition that they hold dear to their heart. We hope you will embrace the Auburn spirit when your time comes to leave the Plains and advance into your next adventure by purchasing your Auburn ring and participating in Ring Night & Ceremony at the end of fall or spring semester. This ring will remind you of your roots, no matter how far you grow, and will connect you to a family, one-hundred sixty-one years in the making, no matter where you go.

With over 27,000 students, being a part of Auburn’s campus can sometimes be overwhelming. Working to make this overflowing campus feel like home, is a communal effort that is usually summarized as the Auburn family. Everyone always talks about this atmosphere that makes the Plains feel like home to so many, but what actually makes the Auburn family special? Some say it is just a fan base, others say it is nothing more than a marketing campaign, but any true Auburn man or woman knows it is the spirit inside every Tiger’s heart. It is the drive to help their fellow man and the drive to live the best life they possibly can. The Auburn family is undoubtedly there for one another in the good times and in the bad. Sophomore Hannah Robertson described it as, “A sense of belonging… no matter where you come from, we’re all there for one another, it’s a safe place to be amidst such a chaotic time like college.”

SGA strives to support the Auburn family in all things we do, so this semester we have reinvented our program, Family Fridays. This program is designed to bring students together to strengthen their bonds with one another and with the university as a whole. This Friday, we have partnered with Emerge to unite freshmen with their classmates and older peers. From 11 AM – 1 PM on Friday, September 1, SGA will have blankets, games, and music, courtesy of WEGL 91.1, on Cater Lawn for students to enjoy. Bring your lunch, grab a friend, and take part in an event that aims to build on the most unique part of our university—the Auburn family.

Ever wondered what everyone’s favorite tiger does during finals week? I personally have never seen Aubie hitting the books, but in the late night hours of April 30th, I did spot him in the library. Aubie took to the Ralph Brown Draughon Library to help pass out doughnuts, orange juice, and scantrons during SGA’s annual week-long finals event, Up All Night.

The Tiger skipped through the line greeting people and snapping a few selfies with students who were taking a break from studying. Shortly after midnight, Aubie welcomed everyone anxiously awaiting the free Krispy Kreme doughnuts and juice that was promised to them. Students, some draped in blankets and others in slippers, filed through receiving well-wishes from SGA members on their impending physics, geography, and biology exams. A hug from Aubie awaited many at the door, but everyone knows he does not have the longest attention span. He soon tried to take over the job of handing out napkins from SGA Executive Director of Elections Catherine Milling, but after not excelling at the task, Milling interjected, “Aubie you’re holding up the line, boo.” He decided he had had enough and took a quick catnap in the middle of the room.

After his nap, Aubie and some of his friends took to the nooks and crannies of RBD to make sure that everyone got a doughnut. Most seemed more intrigued when they saw that SGA had gotten more than just original glazed; many opted for a chocolate-covered cream-filled or even a mint chocolate chip doughnut. On the fourth floor, Aubie put a ring, or at least a doughnut, on a few people’s hands. Classic late-night study delirium set in as Aubie made his way out with an empty box on his head and even flashing a few unsuspecting students from the elevator.

Though he may not be taking any finals, Aubie the Tiger could not miss hanging out with some of his friends as the semester comes to a close. When asked if he liked the event, Aubie simply shook his head approvingly and gave a quick thumbs-up. With the Aubie stamp of approval, we hope you will take a break from studying and join us at midnight, Sunday through Thursday of finals week in the Student Center and library for free doughnuts and orange juice. You never know who you will get to meet or the memories you will make when you are Up All Night with SGA.